In a recent public address on Liberty Online Television, senior All People’s Congress (APC) member, Dr. Richard Konteh, expressed sharp criticism of the actions of Dr. Samura Kamara, the APC’s 2023 Presidential candidate, concerning the signing of the Tripartite Committee report. The report was intended to address various issues stemming from the disputed 2023 elections, which have been a point of contention in Sierra Leone’s political landscape.
Dr. Konteh revealed that Dr. Kamara signed the report without consulting key APC members, which he claims has led to significant discontent within the party. According to Dr. Konteh, the APC leadership had previously outlined critical concerns and recommendations that Dr. Kamara was expected to present during discussions leading up to the signing of the report. These issues, he asserted, were either overlooked or ignored by Dr. Kamara when he proceeded to sign the document, which was subsequently presented to President Julius Maada Bio.
The Tripartite Committee was formed to mediate the differing viewpoints following the highly controversial 2023 elections, which were marred by accusations of electoral irregularities. APC members had hoped the committee would serve as a platform to discuss these disputes and reach a resolution. However, Dr. Konteh expressed disappointment that the concerns raised by the APC regarding these irregularities were not adequately addressed in the report.
“It’s a surprise to me, because we met on a Friday, reviewed the 80 recommendations, presented our divergent views, and agreed on where to insert them into the report before it would be signed,” Dr. Konteh explained. He criticized Dr. Kamara for signing the report, which, in his view, did not reflect the party’s agreed-upon stance.
Dr. Konteh emphasized that the APC’s concerns were not minor or superficial, but rather were critical points about the fairness and legitimacy of the 2023 elections. He added that the APC’s objective in participating in the committee was to address the irregularities and ensure that the concerns of its supporters were heard.
Frustration within the APC has grown, as many believe the report could have served as a means to correct or at least acknowledge the contentious election results. Dr. Konteh further stated that after their Friday meeting, it was agreed that the party would reconvene the following Monday to finalize the report after the Secretariat incorporated all their recommendations. However, over the weekend, a separate meeting occurred with the chief negotiator, leading to the finalized report being submitted to State House on Monday—an event that took Konteh by surprise.
“When I received the draft on Monday, I was in Bo, and I was informed that the report was ready for signing,” Dr. Konteh stated. He declined to sign the document, arguing that it did not accurately reflect the views of many Sierra Leoneans, including critical voices within the APC. “I will not sign a report I do not agree with,” he firmly declared, expressing his dissatisfaction with the process.
Dr. Konteh’s refusal to support the final report raises broader questions about the transparency and inclusiveness of the Tripartite Committee’s proceedings. He suggested that the process failed to meet the expectations of those hoping for a balanced and fair assessment of the 2023 elections, and he questioned the legitimacy of the report’s conclusions.
This public disagreement within the APC signals a deeper division regarding how the party’s leadership handled the post-election negotiations. Dr. Konteh’s criticisms reflect a sense of betrayal among some APC members, who believe that their concerns were not properly represented in the final stages of the Tripartite Committee’s work.
The internal conflict may have broader implications for the APC, as it seeks to rebuild after its loss in the 2023 elections. The party’s ability to present a unified front in the face of ongoing political challenges could be significantly impacted by these disagreements. As Dr. Konteh’s remarks suggest, there may be more internal discussions needed to address the party’s strategy and leadership moving forward, particularly in light of these recent developments.
Dr. Samura Kamara has yet to publicly respond to Dr. Konteh’s accusations, leaving questions about how this internal conflict will unfold. Nonetheless, this episode has added a new layer of complexity to the APC’s efforts to address the fallout from the 2023 elections, and may affect its future political strategies in Sierra Leone.